That Sinking Feeling

The soil beneath our feet is supposed to absorb greenhouse gases—a process now under threat from, you guessed it, climate change

- Kashmira Gander

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A SHORTAGE OF POTENTIAL problems caused by climate change, but researchers have just uncovered a new one: It could be weakening Earth’s ability to resist temperature rises.

Plants and soil are an important “carbon sink,” which means they absorb carbon dioxide and retain it, preventing the greenhouse gas from warming the planet. The science is fairly straightforward: Plants inhale carbon dioxide and convert the carbon into energy for growth and repair in the photosynthesis process. Soil obtains carbon through organic matter, such as decomposing plants, dead animals and their waste, and actually contains two to three times more carbon than the atmosphere. Together, they soak up an estimated 25 percent of the carbon dioxide that humans produce.